Patronizing inside
Chipmaker Intel has decided that it knows what's best for the people of Ireland, and asked them to vote in favor of the Lisbon Treaty.
The Lisbon Treaty is basically the EU's proposed constitution, although
they're no longer calling it that, mainly because the original
constitution was rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005.
Basically, Eurocrats rebranded it and are now trying to secure its
acceptance by nations who aren't thrilled by the prospect of giving
away a part of their sovereignty to the Union.
So, Intel has stepped in to help the EU, the same EU that levied a
€1.06 billion fine against it a few months back. The company has taken
out full-page ads in Irish newspapers calling voters to say yes to
Lisbon. The Irish, being the proud and self-conscious people they are,
voted against the treaty in early 2008.
Intel's ad reads much like Nokia advertising: "With its vast market and
endless
opportunities, Stay Connected to Europe". There's the blue on white
Intel logo, and "Supporting Lisbon" at the bottom. Ireland really isn't
connected to Europe in the classic sense. First of all, it's an island.
Secondly, the Irish never really bought into much of Europe's fun, family activities,
World Wars for example.
In recent years Ireland's economic boom was mainly attributed to
investments by US-based tech companies, including industry giants such
as Intel, HP, Dell and many others. However, in spite of the prospect
of further investments, the Irish left isn't too keen about the EU
treaty, as they fear it would liberalise labour legislation and lower
wages for Irishmen, and women. A far cry from those NINA signs and ads
from the mid 19th-century. The far right, on the other hand, is
concerned that godless European heathens would use the treaty to
undermine Ireland's abortion ban.
Be as it may, Intel currently employs 4,500 people in Ireland, making
quad leaf clovers in 65nm and 90nm. Total Intel investments in Ireland
over the past two decades have surpassed the $6 billion mark. That amounts to around a thousand bucks per every man, woman and child in the magnificent land of gentle, rolling hills, lousy poets and good music. I know I
would sell my vote for a lot less than that.